A clamor reached him from the ground floor, and he frowned. “Sounds like the brotherhood is getting impatient.”
She laughed and set the dagger on the bedside table. “I can’t blame them. I’ve been in hiding since you left.”
“Good for you. I’d rather spend my time here with you.”
“Well, you’re still healing, so we’re off the hook for now.”
He pulled her to him, fell on his back, and grunted, pain strangling him.Stars!He gritted his teeth.
“Oh, your poor back!” She scrambled off the bed and picked up the dreaded potion bottle.
At her gimlet look, he had no choice but to drink that awful thing again.
Late that afternoon, Nia sat on the padded bench in the dressing room and zipped up her low-heeled boots. After Lore had awakened her with another bout of lovemaking, they’d finally showered and dressed.
He leaned against a chest of drawers, waiting for her, his shiny, sunset-hued hair pulled back in a ponytail. Man, he looked abso-hot in simple black dress pants and a dark gray shirt he’d taken from the closet. Hedori had filled it with clothes Lore typically preferred, and there’d been things for her, too.
Even without powers, he still retained that dark, dangerous air. Guess nothing would change the core of what he inherently was.
Her gaze lifted to his, and she found those silvery-green eyes tracking her every move.
Yup, she knew exactly how prey felt, except this prey so wanted his mouth and hands back on her.
“What?” she asked, rising to her feet.
He shook his head.
The fact he didn’t make a suggestive comeback, Nia knew he must be in pain. “Do you want more of the potion?”
He snorted. “No.”
She let it go for now and straightened the thick, forest-green sweater over the jeans—clothes she was sure Echo had selected. Nia finger-combed and scooped up her drying hair into a topknot and fastened it with a scrunchie. “I’m ready.”
“No hurry,” Lore said, still watching her.
She laughed, then said, “I don’t know the way down. Maybe I should call Echo?”
“I know the ground level. We’ll find the stairs. Come,ruh, let’s get this done.” He extended a hand, and they headed out.
“Well?” she asked as they made their way along the wide, elegant corridor, wall sconces casting soft pools of light on the marbled floor. Pretty period chairs were placed sporadically along the walls, and a few tall urns held an array of flowers and trailing greenery.
“Well, what?”
But she heard the smile in his voice. He was baiting her with his silence. “You called meruh, twice now,” she grumbled.
He slowed his steps at the landing and walked her backward, caging her against the circular balustrade. “What happens if I don’t tell you?”
She narrowed her eyes. “I’ll go to the boathouse and bunk with my brother and Ely again.”
He loomed over her. “Threats? That will never happen,qalbi.”
“Lore, please,” she groaned at another new endearment, palms pressed to his chest.
“You beg so shamelessly, my heart.”
“Gah!”
“It’s whatqalbimeans…” He kissed the tip of her nose. “Ruh, my breath of life.”
